Machine for filling receptacles in particular fountain pen cartridges

ABSTRACT

A machine for filling receptacles comprising an empty receptacles supply means, at least one receptacle testing means, a means for filling receptacles, a means for sealing receptacles and a means for removing the filled receptacles. Each means is constituted by at least one operational barrel and the means are connected by transfer barrels. The transfer of receptacles and the operations are effected in a continuous kinematic manner. This machine is intended in particular for filling and testing fountain pen cartridges, small receptacles for pharmaceutical products, etc. . . .

2 fun United States Patent [191 Bardet Apr. 2, 1974 MACHINE FOR FILLING RECEPTACLES IN PARTICULAR FOUNTAIN PEN CARTRIDGES I Gerard Bardet, Paris, France Automatisme & Technique, Val de Marne, France Filed: Jan. 23, 1973 Appl. No.: 326,111

Inventor:

Assignee:

Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 18, 1972 France 72.05635 US. Cl 53/64, 53/77, 53/78, 53/282, 53/296, 141/175, 141/83, 222/318 Int. Cl B65b 3/12, 1365b 3/32, B65b 7/28 Field of Search 53/64, 77, 78, 282, 296, 53/373;141/173, 174, 175, 83, 48, 258, 260, 262, 86, 87, 88, 90, 91, 183; 222/318 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1972 Fradin et al. 53/282 X Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner-Horace M. Culver Attorney, Agent, or Firm.lones, Thomas & Askew ABSTRACT A machine for filling receptacles comprising an empty receptacles supply means, at least one receptacle testing means, a means for filling receptacles, a means for sealing receptacles and a means for removing the filled receptacles. Each means is constituted by at least one operational barrel and the means are connected by transfer barrels. The transfer of receptacles and the operations are effected in a continuous kinematic manner.

This machine is intended in particular for filling and testing fountain pen cartridges, small receptacles for pharmaceutical products, etc.

11 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 21974 13 800 496 sum U2UF11 PATENTED APR 2 I974 sum 03 0F 11 PATENITEDAFR 2 m4 3800.496

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sum 0SUF11 s dz if PATENIEDAPR 2mm 3.800.496

sum U6UF11 PATENTEDAPR 2 m4 SHEET 070$ 11 ll Eiv A 5 sw m FIG 6 PATENTEBAPR 2 I974 SHEET 09 0F 11 Q-FJDG MENTEDAPR 2 I974 SHEET 10 0F 11 FIG 9 PATENTEDAPR 2:974 3.800.496

sum '11 0F 1.1

The invention relates to a machine for testing, filling and sealing receptacles, such as fountain pen cartridges.

Fountain pen cartridges are generally in the form of receptacles or cylindrical containers of circular cross section, made of plastic material and sealed by an end piece at one of their ends. These receptacles are subjected to various tests, in particular before and after filling, in order to check the sealing and to check that there are no malformations which, for example, could hinder sealing. These receptacles receive a defined quantity of ink, and then are sealed hermetically.

At present, however, these operations require the utilization of a number of machines operating discontinuously. The work required to carry out these operations on the machines, carry out tests, etc are very important and necessitate a relatively large number of personnel. Moreover, the output of these machines remains small. 1

The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the known machines and to provide a machine which enables tubular shaped receptacles, such as ink cartridges, tubes for holding chemical products, etc to be filled simply and rapidly, while requiring a very small number of personnel and giving a very high output.

The invention, to this end, relates to a machine for filling receptacles, such as fountain pen ink cartridges, said machine being characterized in that it comprises a means of supplying empty receptacles, at least one means of testing receptacles, a means of filling receptacles, a means of sealing receptacles and a means for removing filled receptacles, each means being constituted by at least one operational barrel, while the means are connected by transfer barrels, the transfer of receptacles and the operations being effected in a continuous kinematic manner.

The machine according to the present invention can be applied to filling ink cartridges for fountain pens, but also to filling all receptacles of elongated form, either with a liquid or a-solid product, such as a powder, granular matter or pastilles. I

The field of application thus extends in particular to the packaging of chemical and pharmaceutical products.

Receptacles with very different means of sealing can be envisaged. It is possible therefore, if necessary, to replace the welded seal cap by simply crusing the receptacle and thermo-welding it.

Thus, the fountain pen cartridges are produced on a very large scale and the totality of the testing and filling operations indicated above are carried out under conditions such that the cost of the filled and tested cartridge is very low.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES An embodiment of the invention is illustrated schematically, by way of a non-limitative example, in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the fountain pen cartridge and its cap,

FIG; 2a is a general view, in elevation, of the machine,

FIG. 2b is a general plan view corresponding to FIG. 2a,

FIG. 3a shows, in elevation, the turning tube device, conveying the cartridges onto the regrouping barrel,

, FIG. 3b shows a plan view of this same device,

FIG. 4 shows the station for introducing the cartridge into the vehicle and for testing the cartridge,

FIG. 5 shows the station for testing the sealing,

FIG. 6 shows the filling station,

FIG. 7 shows the station where the cap is cut out and placed in position,

FIG. 8 shows the cap welding station,

FIG. 9 shows the extraction of the cartridge from the vehicle,

FIG. 10a shows, in cross-section, the tilting of the cartridge with a view to its ejection onto the discharge belt,

FIG. 10b shows a plan view of the tilting barrel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION: MACHINE ASSEMBLY In the example shown, the machine is designed to test, fill and seal fountain pen ink cartridges. According to FIG. I, the cartridge comprises a body 10, made of thermo-plastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and of which the general form, in the example chosen, comprises three co-axial super-imposed cone frustra of various diameters. The base 11 has a particular structure which makes it easy to break so as to permit the flow of ink when the cartridge is used in the fountain pen.

The upper part of the body 10 can be sealed by a cap 12 made of the same plastic material as the body 10 itself.

The cartridge is made to move uniformly, for example, by means of a certain number of working barrels and transfer barrels, the circumferential speed of these supports on the various barrels all having the same value, and the cartridge thus passing from a working barrel to a transfer barrel, andconversely, travelling through the machine assembly at a uniform speed. To each of the supports of a working barrel is linked at least one tool for treating the cartridge during its travel on this barrel. The movements of these tools are generally defined by fixed cams, associated with each working barrel. I

FIGS. 2a and 2b show a plan and elevational view of the machine assembly.

This machine consists essentially of a series of working barrels connected to one another by transfer barrels. It is thus seen in the Figures, from left to right, that there are:

the regrouping barrel 1,

the associated barrel 2 for introducing the cartridge into the vehicle and for controlling the cartridge,

the barrel 3 for testing the sealing,

the filling barrel 4,

the barrel 5 for cutting out and placing the cap in position,

the cap welding barrel 6,

the barrel 7 for extracting the cartridge from the vehicle,

the barrel 8 for tilting the cartridge with a view to removing it from the machine onto the conveyor belt 9.

The barrels 13, 14, l5, l6, l7 and 18 are transfer barrels. The barrels l9 and 20 also are transfer barrels,

acting as links between the preceding barrel assembly and the two ends of the linear conveyor 21.

Movable members called vehicles and whose function will be explained later, move on this conveyor in the direction of the arrow F and are successively taken up by the barrels l9, 1, 2, 13, 3, 14, 4, 15, 5, 16, 6, l7, 7 and 18, to be returned onto the conveyor 21 by the barrel 20. The vehicles thus travel in the machine in a closed circuit.

The cartridges, on the other hand, travel in an open circuit using successively the barrels 1, 2, 13, 3, 14, 4, l5, 5, 16, 6, 17, 7, 18, and 8 to be finally removed from the machine by th conveyor belt 9 in the direction of the arrow G.

SUPPLY AND TEST ASSEMBLY The regrouping barrel 1 is supplied with empty cartridge bodies from vibrating distributors 22 and distributor barrels 23.

The assembly of the components of the machine is grouped on a general framework 24, the barrels being mounted on this general framework by means of partial blocks 25, in the form of parallelograms, shown as broken lines in FIG. 2b. This assembly of blocks enables the barrels to be dismantled and replaced easily and enables, if necessary, the addition of new working barrels, so long as the required space has been provided, orelse made available later, in the principal framework.

The vibrating distributors 22, by means of which the machine is supplied with cartridge bodies, are know, as well as the devices associated with these distributors and which allow the cartridge bodies to be oriented in a manner such that they come out of the vibrating distributors, bottom first.

In the example chosen and illustrated, four vibrating distributors are required to supply the machine at a rate greater than six cartridges per second.

When the cartridge bodies come out, bottom first, from the vibrating distributors 22, they fall into a recess 26 on a distributor barrel 23 (FIGS. 3a and 3b) by means of a tube 27 which is integral with the barrel 23 by the supports 29 and 30, and rotated by it about the vertical shaft 28. An anchor mechanism 31, actuated by a fixed cam, not shown, transfers one cartridge body at a time, for each revolution of the barrel 23 and of the tube 27, into the recess 26.

The body of the cartridge is maintained in the recess 26, while the barrel 23 is rotating, by means of a fixed guard not shown, and transferred into the corresponding recesses of the barrel 1 where also it is maintained by fixed guards.

FIG. 4 represents schematically a partial crosssection of the barrel 2 where the cartridge body is introduced into the vehicle and the cartridge is tested.

The body of the cartridge is transferred in the contact area between the two barrels, and passes from the barrel 1 into the recess 32 carried by the body 33 of the barrel 2. In that position the bottom of the cartridge rests on the upper end of a push-rod 34 which is co-axial with the cartridge body 10.

From the barrel 1 also, a vehicle 35 has been transferred into a recess of the support 36 of the vehicles of the barrel 2. In this position, the vehicle 35 is substantially co-axial with the cartridge body 10 and the pushrod 34, and is located above the cartridge body 10.

A centering piece 37, substantially co-axial with the push-rod 34, the cartridge body 10 and the vehicle 35, is fixed above the last on the upper part of the body 33 of the barrel. A test pin 38, integral with the slide piece 39, can move vertically following the axis of the centering piece shaft 37.

As the barrel 2 rotates, the roller 40, rolling in a fixed cam 41, raises the slide piece 42. The support 43 of the push-rod 34, pinned to the lower end of the slide piece 42, follows the movement of the latter and, in consequence, raises the push-rod 34 by means of the spring 44.

This latter, in turn, raises the cartridge body 10.

Simultaneously, raising the slide piece 42 and its shoulder 45 on which abuts the support of the vehicles 36, enables the latter to be raised under the influence of the spring 46, so as to introduce the vehicle 35 into the centering piece 37.

While the slide piece 42 continues its upward movement, the push-rod 34 forcibly introduces the cartridge body 10 into the vehicle 35, engaged in the centering piece 37.

An inflection in the cam 41 drives the slide piece 42 slightly downward by means of the roller 40, without however the shoulder 45 coming into contact with the vehicle support 36. This downward movement results in the upper end of the push-rod 34 separating from the bottom of the cartridge body 10. The cartridge body 0, because of its lightness and because it has been forcibly introduced into the vehicle 35, thus remains integral with the latter. 1

While the barrel continues to rotate, the fixed cam causes the downward displacement of the slide piece 39, by means of the roller 48. This causes the test pin 38 to penetrate into the vehicle 35 against the cartridge body 10.

If this latter is positioned correctly in the vehicle 35, with its opening directed upward, and if this opening is not deformed, the pin 38 penetrates into the cartridge body and its downward movement ceases before it touches the bottom of the cartridge body.

If, on the other hand, as a result of bad orientation at the output point of the distributor 22, the cartridge body is upside down, or if its mouth is deformed, the descent of the pin 38 extracts the cartridge body 10 from the vehicle 35 and the cartridge body thus eliminated is removed from the machine, for example, by means of a jet of compressed air.

While the barrel continues to rotate, the slide pieces 39 and 42 take up again the respective positions they occupy before the start of the cycle and the various components reoccupy the positions which are represented in FIG. 4, the non-eliminated cartridge bodies 10, however, remaining engaged in the vehicles 35. Each of these cartridge bodies will thus remain integral with the corresponding vehicle 35 until it leaves the barrel 7.

TESTING ASSEMBLY FIG. 5 shows schematically a partial cross-section of the barrel 3 where the sealing test is carried out. All the lower part of this barrel is analogous to that of barrel 2 and the different components bear the same reference numbers.

The cartridge body, placed in its vehicle, and coming from the barrel 13, is transferred to the recess of the vehicle support 36. While the barrel 3 continues to rotate, the fixed cam 49 raises, by means of the roller 50, the slide piece 51 and the vehicle 35 lodges in the centering piece 52, the bottom of the cartridge body then being supported by the push-rod 34.

In this position, the mouth of the cartridge body 10 presses, forming a seal, on the lower end of the vertical tube 53 fixed to the lower end of the slide piece 52. The tube 53 communicates with a tube 55 connected to the seal-testing apparatus, not shown.

This apparatus, known as such, establishes a moderate gas pressure inside the cartridge 10 by means of the tubes 55 and 53 and monitors developments during a defined time. If the cartridge body 10 has a sealing defect, this pressure falls below a set pressure and the testing apparatus then emits a signal which causes an electro-magnet to become energized and actuate the bolt 57 thus liberating the slide piece 54. This latter, however, does not respond to the pull of the spring 58, as it is maintained abutting on the lower end 59 of the slide piece 60.

While the barrel 3 continues to rotate, the cam 61 lowers the slide piece 60 by means of the roller 62. In the case where the bolt 57 has been pulled away, the effect is to cause the downward movement of the slide piece 54 under the influence of the spring 58. As simultaneously the cam 49 has caused the slide piece 51 and the push-rod 34 to descend, the tube 53, by bearing on the mouth of the cartridge body 10, drives the latter downward from the vehicle 35. This situation is represented in FIG. 5. The cartridge body 10 is then removed from the machine, for example, by ajet of compressed air.

If, on the other hand, the seal-testing apparatus has not detected a leak in the cartridge body 10, the bolt 57 will have remained in position, and the downward movement of the slide piece 60 has no effect, the cartridge body 10 remaining integral with the vehicle, to be transferred onto the barrel 4 by means of the barrel l4.

FILLING ASSEMBLY FIG. 6 shows a partial cross-section of the barrel 4 where the cartridge body is filled. The position of the components represented in the Figure correspond to the moment where a cartridge fitted in its vehicle, has just been transferred onto the barrel 4.

While the barrel continues to rotate the fixed cam 63 raises the piston 65 by means of the roller 64, sliding in the pump cylinder 66, which is integral with the body 67 of the barrel 4.

The inner space of the lower part of the cylinder 66 communicates with an ink reservoir, not shown, by means of the flexible tube 68 associated with the drawer 69. The bottom of the cylinder 66 is closed with a spring valve 70. Under these conditions, raising the piston 65 by means of the cam 63 results in the defined dose of ink being sucked into the cylinder 66.

While the barrel continues to rotate, the fixed cam 71 raises the slide piece 73 by means of the roller 72. This causes the vehicle 35 and the cartridge body 10 to be raised, into which latter penetrates the fixed filling needle 74. This also causes the drawer 69 to be freed from the abutment formed by the shoulder 75 on the slide piece 73, so that the drawer 68 moves upward under the action of the spring 76 to abut against the shoulder 77 of the cylinder 66. In this position, the drawer 69 cuts communication between the ink reservoir and the inner spaceof the cylinder 66.

As the barrel continues to rotate, the cam 63 lowers the piston 65 which causes the ink dose required for filling the cartridge body 10 to be driven from the cylinder 66, through the valve and the needle 74. Simultaneously, the cam 71 lowers the slide piece 73, so that the cartridge body 10 and the vehicle are displaced downward until they are freed from the needle 74 and can be transferred onto the following barrel. At the same time, the downward displacement of the drawer 69 reestablishes communication between the cylinder 66 and the ink reservoir. The initial state is thus restored.

In the preceding, the assumption has been made that a cartridge in its vehicle was in its support 78. But it may happen, for one reason or another, that the cartridge is not in place, for which case the following safety device has been provided:

A slide piece 71 moves under the combined action of the traction spring 80 and a fixed cam 81 acting on it by means of a roller 82. The slide piece 79 is hollow and carries a tube 83 on its upper part.

During the upward movement of the slide piece 73 described above, which precedes filling, the cam 81 allows the slide piece 79 to move upwards to a level at which the upper end of the tube 83 bears onto the bottom of the cartridge body 10 or, if the vehicle does not contain a cartridge body, on the interior of the vehicle itself, near the upper edge of the latter.

In the last case, the ink, emerging from the needle 72 when the piston 65 moves downward, flows through the tube 83 into the hollow interior of the slide piece 79 and is removed by a duct 84.

This device not only provides safety so far as the filling station is concerned in the case when the cartridge is absent,but also allows, by making the filling station operate purposely without a cartridge and replacing the ink reservoir by a cleaning compound reservoir, to clean the filling station periodically, particularly in the case when one ink is replaced by another ink of different colour.

RECEPTACLE SEALING ASSEMBLY FIG. 7 shows a partial cross-section of the barrel 5 where the sealing cap of the cartridge is cut out and placed in position.

The polyethylene tape, from which the cap is cut out, is provided in the form of reels (see FIG. 2a), placed on the supports above the barrel 5. The tape is led from the reel by a guiding channel 85 and brought to above the fixed matrix 86 used for cutting out, itself placed immediately above the vehicle containing the cartridge.

The fixed cam 87 causes the slide piece 89 which carries at its end a release means 90 to descend by means of the roller 88.

If, after the preceding cutting operation, the polyethylene tape has been advanced and placed in position correctly by the feed device 91, the lower end of the release device 90 comes to bear on the polyethylene tape itself resting on the matrix 86, and the work cycle can then continue.

On the other hand, if the tape has not been advanced correctly, the lower end of the release device passes through the polyethylene tape through the opening left by the preceding cutting out operation and the release means continues its downward course.

In the course of following this additional path it, meets a micro-switch (not shown), which stops the machine assembly.

. Supposing now that the tape has been advanced correctly and the cycle continues. The fixed cam 92 causes the slide piece 94 to descend by means of the roller 93.

On account of this, the press plate 95, connected to the lower end of the slide piece 94 elastically by means of the spring 96, comes to bear on the polyethylene tape itself resting on the matrix 86.

Then, the punch 97 lodged in the annular space between the release device and the press plate, and shown in black in the Figure, in its turn comes into contact with the tape, and punches it, cutting out the cap. This latter is then carried along by the release means-punch assembly, which continues on its course and is thus brought and placed in position in the mouth of the cartridge.

Then, the punch and the press plate, and then the release means are brought back to the high position, the tape advances and the initial state is restored.

Before the cap is cut out and placed in position, the vehicle 33 and the cartridge body will have been displaced upward to center itself in the lower part of the matrix 86. This centering operation and the return to the low position which follows it are carried out according to a process analogous to that described in relation to the FIGS. 4 or 5, under the action of the fixed cam 98 actuating the slide piece 100, the vehicle support 101 and the push-rod 102 by means of the roller 99.

FIG. 8 shows a partial cross-section of the barrel 6 where the cap iswelded.

The slide piece 105 is raised as the result of the action of the fixed cam 103 and by means of the roller 104 which causes the vehicle support 106 to be freed from the abutment constituted by the shoulder 107 and to enable the support 106 to move upward under the action of the spring 108. Simultaneously, the push-rod 109 also moves upward.

Finally, the mouth of the cartridge 10, fitted with its cap, comes to bear onto the Teflon film 110, lining the plane, lower face of a heating element 111, heated by the resistors 112. The cartridge is firmly held in this position by the push-rod 109, for a period sufficient for the heat released by the heating element 111 to weld and seal the cap onto the mouth of the cartridge.

The slide piece 105 is then lowered and the initial state is restored.

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial cross-section of the barrel 7 where the cartridge is extracted from the vehicle and transferred to the barrel 18.

The fixed cam 113 lowers the slide piece 115 carrying the ejector 116 at its lower end by means of the roller 114. This latter extracts, from the vehicle 35, downward, the cartridge 10 and this latter lodges between the vehicles support 117 and a fixed guard which is succeeded by a recess-carrier 118 of the barrel 18.

The slide piece 115 is then brought back to its high position.

FILLED RECEPI'ACLE REMOVAL MEANS FIG. 10a shows a cross-section of the barrel 8 where the cartridge is tilted and transferred to the discharge belt 9.

The cartridge 10, carried along by a recess 1 19 of the barrel 8, slides in a groove 120 on the periphery of a fixed conical support 121, which is concentric with the barrel 8.

A fixed ramp 122 broadening out toward the shaft of the barrel 8, pushes the cartridge 10 in the direction of the arrow B and causes it to tilt at 10' on the conical support.

While the barrel continues to rotate, the cartridge arrives at the diametrically opposite end, above the opening made in the truncated support 121 and in the table 123 on which it rests. The cartridge then falls through this opening onto the belt with recesses 9 which removes it to outside the machine.

In FIGS. 2a and 2b can thus be seen an assembly of rollers 124 which is located in the upstream part of the belt 9. The role of these rollers 104 is to press quite strongly onto the cartridges, in passing, so as to reveal to the operator in charge of collecting the cartridges at the output end of the belt 9 any possible sealing defects.

The machine according to the invention enables fountain pen cartridges to be tested, filled and sealed at very high rates, able to exceed six cartridges per second while at the same time ensuring optimum treatment quality.

It is obvious that the invention is not limited to the example of its embodiment herein above described and illustrated. If necessary, other means and modes of embodiment can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. What is claimed is: l. A machine for filling receptacles, such as fountain pen ink cartridges, comprising:

an empty receptacle supply means, a means for testing the receptacle, a means for filling the receptacles, a means for closing the receptacles, a means for removing the filled receptacles, each said means being constituted by at least one operational barrel, the means being connected by transfer barrels, I

the transfer of said receptacles and the operations being carried out in a continuous kinematic manner.

2. A machine according to claim 1 in which said supply means connects each receptacle to a transfer vehicle, which accompanies the receptacle, from the input end of the machine, from the supply means, to the removal means, return means being provided to bring back the vehicles from the output end to the input end where these latter are put back into ciculation after removal means have separated each vehicle from the corresponding receptacle at the output end of the machine.

3. A machine according to claim 1 in which said supply means comprises at least one storage hopper for empty receptacles, constituted by a vibrating distributor bringing the empty receptacles, in an oriented manner, to the distribution means, a receptacle distribution means, supplying a barrel associated with the recipients and the vehicles which also checks the orientation of each receptacle. The distribution means being condial grooves open at their lower end and opening out onto the support surface of truncated form, on which the tilted receptacles slide, this support surface comprising a discharge opening allowing at least one receptacle to pass through it, this opening opening out onto the receptacle discharge device.

5. A machine according to claim 3 in which said distribution means are constituted by a tube rotating synchronously with the regrouping barrel, this substantially vertical tube receiving at its upper end, the recipients to be distributed, its lower end comprising a retractable abutment of the anchor mechanism type, freeing, at one time, only a single receptacle in order to allow it to arrive in the recess of a barrel rotating with the tube and transferring the receptacle to the regrouping barrel.

6. A machine according to claim 3 in which said barrel for introducing empty receptacles into the corresponding vehicles, comprises work stations each constituted by a vehicle support, a recess co-axial with a vehicle support recess, a co-axial push-rod located on the opposite side of the recess with respect to the vehicle support, and by a centering piece provided with a test pin, located on the side of the vehicle support, opposite the recess of the recipient, the vehicle support, the push-rod, and the test pin being controlled in translation by slide pieces and cams, as a function of the barrels rotation, while the centering piece and the receptacle recessremain fixed in translation, the vehicle support being introduced during the course of the first phase of the movement intothe centering piece, while during the second phase, the push-rod forcibly introduces the receptacle into the vehicle and frees itself from the receptacle, while during the third phase, the testpin penetrates into the opening of the receptacle to check its orientation and shape, a defect causing the pin to come into contact with the receptacle and eject the defective receptacle.

7. A machine according to claim 1 in which said barrel for controlling the sealing of the receptacles comprises:

work stations, each constituted by vehicles support and a centering piece co-axial with the support recess and located on the side of the receptacle opena testing device constituted by a tube which can slide along the common axis and is connected to a testing apparatus, a fluid under pressure being conveyed into the receptacle to be tested, by means of a tube, and the testing apparatus checks the pressure inside the receptacles during a given period of time, and a fall of pressure freeing the tube which then effects a translatory movement following the axis, and ejects the defective receptacle from the vehicle.

8. A machine according to claim 1 in which said fillingbarrel comprises:

work stations each constituted by a vehicle and a filling pump, co-axial with the support, located on the side of the opening in the receptacle carried by the vehicle, as well as by a tubular slide piece located on the other side of the support and co-axial with the common axis, the filling pump being constituted by a cylinder, a piston, a drawer intended to control the feed and by a filling needle,

the receptacle being brought to near the pump and the sliding tube being applied against the lower face of the receptacle, during the first phase,

the barrel continuing its rotation, the drawer cuts the feed being pumped and the piston causes the liquid to be injected into the receptacle, while if there is no receptacle in the vehicle, the sliding tube of the slide piece covers the filling needle and collects the ink ejected by the piston. These various movements being controlled as a function of the barrels rotation, by means of fixed cams.

9. Machine according to claim 1 in which said receptacle sealing assembly comprises:

a barrel for cutting out a cap and placing it in position on the opening in the receptacle,

a cap welding barrel,

these two being joined by at least one transfer barrel,

said barrel for cutting out and placing the cap in position comprising work stations each consisting of a station for cutting out and placing the cap into position, the station itself comprising a device for supplying tape from which the caps are cut out, passing above a cutting out matrix, provided at its lower part with a centering piece intended for receiving the vehicle carrying the receptacle, a release means, integral with the slide piece, controlled by a roller and a cam as a function of the barrels rotation, to bear on the end of the tape, intended to be punched, the press-plate connected by means of a spring to a slide piece also controlled by a roller and a cam as a function of the barrels rotation, is brought onto the tape, ,to maintain it, a punch, lodged in the annular space included between the release means and the press-plate, coming into contact with the tape to cut out the cap which is pushed in, by the assembly formed by the release means and the punch continuing on its course and bringing this cap onto the opening of the receptacle, a safety means (micro-switch) being provided to stop the machine in case the release means, during the first phase of its downward movement, detects the absence of the tape on the cutting out matrix,

said barrel for welding the cap onto the receptacle comprises work stations each constituted by a vehicles support and a heating element, the rotation of the barrel controlling the utilization of the heating element and the movement bringing the heating element closer to the vehicle, in order to bring the mouth of the receptacle fitted with the cap into contact with this heating element in order to seal the cap onto the receptacle.

10. A machine according to claim 1 in which the various components of the barrels, mobile in translation, when the barrels are rotating, and controlled by slide pieces provided with rolling rollers on fixed cams, receive the movement controlled by the cam, by means of a spring enabling the control part to effect a limited 1 1 l2 translatory movement and to bear with a force correwhich can 'be fitted to analogous units, to enable the spondmg to the force of the spring. operations to be effected on the machine to be in- 11. A machine according to claim 1 in which the operational barrels are associated with at least one respective transfer barrel, and forming independent units 5 creased or decreased. 

1. A machine for filling receptacles, such as fountain pen ink cartridges, comprising: an empty receptacle supply means, a means for testing the receptacle, a means for filling the receptacles, a means for closing the receptacles, a means for removing the filled receptacles, each said means being constituted by at least one operational barrel, the means being connected by transfer barrels, the transfer of said receptacles and the operations being carried out in a continuous kinematic manner.
 2. A machine according to claim 1 in which said supply means connects each receptacle to a transfer vehicle, which accompanies the receptacle, from the input end of the machine, from the supply means, to the removal means, return means being provided to bring back the vehicles from the output end to the input end where these latter are put back into ciculation after removal means have separated each vehicle from the corresponding receptacle at the output end of the machine.
 3. A machine according to claim 1 in which said supply means comprises at least one storage hopper for empty receptacles, constituted by a vibrating distributor bringing the empty receptacles, in an oriented manner, to the distribution means, a receptacle distribution means, supplying a barrel associated with the recipients and the vehicles which also checks the orientation of each receptacle. The distribution means being connected to the associated barrel by means of a regrouping barrel.
 4. A machine according to claim 1 in which said removal means comprises a barrel for extracting the receptacle from the vehicle and a tilting barrel receiving the receptacle transported, up to that moment, in a vertical position, and bringing it into a horizontal position with a view of discharging it onto the output conveyor, the tilting barrel comprises recesses in the form of radial grooves open at their lower end and opening out onto the support surface of truncated form, on which the tilted receptacles slide, this support surface comprising a discharge opening allowing at least one receptacle to pass through it, this opening opening out onto the receptacle discharge device.
 5. A machine according to claim 3 in which said distribution means are constituted by a tube rotating synchronously with the regrouping barrel, this substantially vertical tube receiving at its upper end, the recipients to be distributed, its lower end comprising a retractable abutment of the ''''anchor mechanism'''' type, freeing, at one time, only a single receptacle in order to allow it to arrive in the recess of a barrel rotating with the tube and transferring the receptacle to the regrouping barrel.
 6. A machine according to claim 3 in which said barrel for introducing empty receptacles into the corresponding vehicles, comprises work stations each constituted by a vehicle support, a recess co-axial with a vehicle support recess, a co-axial push-rod located on the opposite side of the recess with respect to the vehicle support, and By a centering piece provided with a test pin, located on the side of the vehicle support, opposite the recess of the recipient, the vehicle support, the push-rod, and the test pin being controlled in translation by slide pieces and cams, as a function of the barrel''s rotation, while the centering piece and the receptacle recess remain fixed in translation, the vehicle support being introduced during the course of the first phase of the movement into the centering piece, while during the second phase, the push-rod forcibly introduces the receptacle into the vehicle and frees itself from the receptacle, while during the third phase, the test pin penetrates into the opening of the receptacle to check its orientation and shape, a defect causing the pin to come into contact with the receptacle and eject the defective receptacle.
 7. A machine according to claim 1 in which said barrel for controlling the sealing of the receptacles comprises: work stations, each constituted by vehicles support and a centering piece co-axial with the support recess and located on the side of the receptacle opening, a testing device constituted by a tube which can slide along the common axis and is connected to a testing apparatus, a fluid under pressure being conveyed into the receptacle to be tested, by means of a tube, and the testing apparatus checks the pressure inside the receptacles during a given period of time, and a fall of pressure freeing the tube which then effects a translatory movement following the axis, and ejects the defective receptacle from the vehicle.
 8. A machine according to claim 1 in which said filling barrel comprises: work stations each constituted by a vehicle and a filling pump, co-axial with the support, located on the side of the opening in the receptacle carried by the vehicle, as well as by a tubular slide piece located on the other side of the support and co-axial with the common axis, the filling pump being constituted by a cylinder, a piston, a drawer intended to control the feed and by a filling needle, the receptacle being brought to near the pump and the sliding tube being applied against the lower face of the receptacle, during the first phase, the barrel continuing its rotation, the drawer cuts the feed being pumped and the piston causes the liquid to be injected into the receptacle, while if there is no receptacle in the vehicle, the sliding tube of the slide piece covers the filling needle and collects the ink ejected by the piston. These various movements being controlled as a function of the barrel''s rotation, by means of fixed cams.
 9. Machine according to claim 1 in which said receptacle sealing assembly comprises: a barrel for cutting out a cap and placing it in position on the opening in the receptacle, a cap welding barrel, these two being joined by at least one transfer barrel, said barrel for cutting out and placing the cap in position comprising work stations each consisting of a station for cutting out and placing the cap into position, the station itself comprising a device for supplying tape from which the caps are cut out, passing above a cutting out matrix, provided at its lower part with a centering piece intended for receiving the vehicle carrying the receptacle, a release means, integral with the slide piece, controlled by a roller and a cam as a function of the barrel''s rotation, to bear on the end of the tape, intended to be punched, the press-plate connected by means of a spring to a slide piece also controlled by a roller and a cam as a function of the barrel''s rotation, is brought onto the tape, to maintain it, a punch, lodged in the annular space included between the release means and the press-plate, coming into contact with the tape to cut out the cap which is pushed in, by the assembly formed by the release means and the punch continuing on its course and bringing this cap onto the opening of the receptacle, a safety means (micro-switch) being provided to stop the machine in case the release means, during the first phase of its downward movement, detects the absence of the tape on the cutting out matrix, said barrel for welding the cap onto the receptacle comprises work stations each constituted by a vehicles support and a heating element, the rotation of the barrel controlling the utilization of the heating element and the movement bringing the heating element closer to the vehicle, in order to bring the mouth of the receptacle fitted with the cap into contact with this heating element in order to seal the cap onto the receptacle.
 10. A machine according to claim 1 in which the various components of the barrels, mobile in translation, when the barrels are rotating, and controlled by slide pieces provided with rolling rollers on fixed cams, receive the movement controlled by the cam, by means of a spring enabling the control part to effect a limited translatory movement and to bear with a force corresponding to the force of the spring.
 11. A machine according to claim 1 in which the operational barrels are associated with at least one respective transfer barrel, and forming independent units which can be fitted to analogous units, to enable the operations to be effected on the machine to be increased or decreased. 